Just recently, I was with a group of friends at this girls group I go to every week. However, this particular evening, I was sitting with some of my friends and one hearing signer friend, Sally in particular. She was across the table from me. We usually practice signing when we can, but Sally also understands my APD and when it gets too loud, she automatically signs with me. There is also another friend, Amy who watches us sign (which I don't care about) but she often likes to learn signs while Sally and I talk. Her most common phrase is, "Oh, look at you too signing secretively again!" but I know she's only poking fun. Then there was Jenny, the leader/hostess of the group...I'll get to her in a minute...
So that evening, everyone was talking and it became too loud to understand, so Sally and I started signing with each other. Amy was watching us, said her usual phrase. I stopped to ask the table if this were bugging anyone. Everyone said it was fine! So, Sally and I continued, then suddenly, Jenny the hostess, freaks out at us saying: "Can you guys stop it! It's rude to sign when no one else knows what you're saying! It's like talking Chinese. You're so rude!"...Well, that made everyone awkward, that really ticked off Sally, and that made me feel very uncomfortable and self-conscious of my signing. I feel most comfortable when I sign, plus they all know I have issues communicating in English in some situations. So, should I not have the right to sign?!
I spoke to a good friend of mine who says to not let it bother me. That’s what I’m trying to do. I just wanted to get this experience of Audism off my chest…again! Ha ha!